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Years back, police departments traded in their plain Jane service revolvers for semi-auto wonder nines. The used revolvers hit the market in mass and depending on condition a person could buy them all day long for $220 - $235 a pop. From what I understand, the finish usually showed some holster wear but the guns were mechanically sound and usually were fairly lightly shot.
Now I’m starting to see some of the wonder nine replacements getting replaced. Most seem to be S&W models like 3913 compact, 5904, 5906, 669 compact, 6904 compact, and 6906 compact*. Depending on model and finish (blued or stainless), 90% condition guns appear to be going for $329 to $349 each. 80% condition guns are about 10 bucks less.
*There are other models but I’m a south paw and only listed those with ambidextrous safeties.
I’m considering one for a truck ‘carry’ gun. Shooting would mostly consist of getting proficient with it. Function and reliability are paramount.
Unfortunately, I have minimal first hand experience with these wonder nines and don’t have access to any for comparison purposes. So... I’m interested in opinions.
Are these pretty decent guns for the price?
Do any of the models listed stand out as better or more desirable than others?
Are any notorious for some problem or other?
Is there any major advantage to a compact (or non-compact) over the other?
Thanks in advance,
sissy
FWIW, I wear a size large glove but I don’t have long fingers. From a size perspective, single stack .45’s fit better than double stack.
Now I’m starting to see some of the wonder nine replacements getting replaced. Most seem to be S&W models like 3913 compact, 5904, 5906, 669 compact, 6904 compact, and 6906 compact*. Depending on model and finish (blued or stainless), 90% condition guns appear to be going for $329 to $349 each. 80% condition guns are about 10 bucks less.
*There are other models but I’m a south paw and only listed those with ambidextrous safeties.
I’m considering one for a truck ‘carry’ gun. Shooting would mostly consist of getting proficient with it. Function and reliability are paramount.
Unfortunately, I have minimal first hand experience with these wonder nines and don’t have access to any for comparison purposes. So... I’m interested in opinions.
Are these pretty decent guns for the price?
Do any of the models listed stand out as better or more desirable than others?
Are any notorious for some problem or other?
Is there any major advantage to a compact (or non-compact) over the other?
Thanks in advance,
sissy
FWIW, I wear a size large glove but I don’t have long fingers. From a size perspective, single stack .45’s fit better than double stack.